Rasoolpura residents drinking nala water!

Problems for residents of one of the largest slums in the city, Rassolpura keep piling. The latest worry for them is regarding their hygiene in that the drinking water they are receiving is contaminated with fluids from nalas.

There seems to be no solution to about 1.3 lakh people residing in the area because there is no proper water pipeline connection in the slum. Residents allege that both Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) are turning a blind eye towards the problem.

Social activist of Rasoolpura, Shaik Nayeem informed that there is a no proper drainage system in the area. “The primary health centre is not running properly and the nala passing by is affecting the health of the people; it is even getting mixed with groundwater,” he said.

“There are no health camps set up in the area; the primary health center is handed over to private agency and are following PPP model because of which the outpatients have gone down to about 60. Earlier, the count was 120-130,” he said.

“We approached the officials of SCB and water board for the closer of the nala, but the officials said that they do not have any permanent plan for the same,” revealed the social activist.

Health officials of SCB said that everyday cleaning of the areas takes place, but that people throw garbage in the nala and drainage system because of which they are facing health problems.

When contacted, official at the water department of the Cantonment Board said that he was unaware about the issue and assured that he would inquire about it to rectify the same. Further, he said that every weekend there is a check on the drinking water pipelines in the areas.

By Aneri Shah